Chapter 26
Ah… Only then did I finally understand why Berieta hadn’t danced…
Wait, huh? What did she just say?
I blinked, dumbfounded, as she finished her dance with a smile that looked like she might melt away.
Her long muslin dress coat formed a perfect circle in the air before settling around her like flower petals. The tip of her cane touched the floor lightly as she supported her back.
Berieta bowed deeply with her cane, graceful and polite.
“I’ll be in your care from now on, Roy.”
“Ah—thank you, Your Highness.”
I hurriedly bowed in return and lifted my head. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. As I took a step back, our eyes met again.
This is dangerous. I knew it was a death flag, but I couldn’t stop the warmth spreading in my chest.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for our journey from Shinnevan to Claremont. As I stepped outside, both the First Imperial Knights and the Black Wolf Knights, who were stationed apart preparing their horses and carriages, froze and turned to look at me.
I sighed quietly and silently packed my belongings.
‘Isn’t that the kid?’ ‘Wasn’t he the one who summoned the Holy Sword yesterday?’ ‘Ah, so that’s why His Grace keeps him close?’ ‘But why aren’t his wings big like the angels depicted in the scriptures? And the color’s… weird.’ ‘Does he lack faith, so his divine power is weak?’ ‘Maybe he caused trouble and got expelled from the Paladins?’
Their whispering buzzed in stereo around me.
“Here we go again…”
I scratched the back of my left hand where it tickled.
For some reason, no matter how many times I died and returned, the Holy Sword I obtained in my first life always stayed attached to my body. But I never wanted to roll around a battlefield again, so unless it was a true emergency, I never drew it.
Except for the life I spent holed up in a monastery, I had no interest in religion. And so, every time I drew the Holy Sword, people’s staring eyes felt burdensome.
Still, both the heroine and villain who’d seen it yesterday were quiet. Should I consider that a relief, or should I start preparing excuses now…? I felt like I was forgetting something important, something from the very beginning of this loop… What was it…?
“Haa… Whatever.”
I exhaled deeply and looked over at the heroine and main lead who were glaring sharply at each other from morning.
“I’m going to call him Roy,” Berieta declared.
“No,” Tessarion replied flatly.
“Why not?”
“Roy is off-limits.”
“Aw, are you jealous because I danced with Roy yesterday?”
Tessarion ground his teeth, his brow furrowing ferociously. His clenched fist trembled so hard it looked like he might actually hit her. But Berieta just widened her eyes innocently, tears welling up.
“I love you.”
“…Do you want to die?”
What was this conversation…?
Were they always this close? They seemed friendly, but it wasn’t quite a romantic conversation. Still, a lot of friendships end up becoming relationships… I dug at my ear and watched them curiously.
Suddenly, blue flames burst into the air around Tessarion, making his long hair flare out like a demon’s.
Berieta quickly hid behind me. Her eyebrows arched like little triangles as she pouted her pink lips.
“I’d love to stay with my wonderful, strong darling forever, but you’re busy, aren’t you? Who else here can stand up to that perverted Crown Prince? The only one who can escort and protect me is Roy, chosen by the Holy Sword!”
“Shut. Up.”
Tessarion drew his greatsword and slammed it into the ground with a loud bang.
“……”
The searing heat grazed my cheek. Berieta, using me as a shield, only provoked Tessarion further.
“What, are you saying I can’t even choose my own escort just because I didn’t bring any dowry? You’re so cruel… hic… darling… you… me…”
Ah, Your Highness…
Is this really the tragic heroine Princess Berieta I know…?
My vision spun so fast I couldn’t even open my mouth to speak. Berieta wiped her tears with her fingertips and gestured around.
“His Majesty said my dowry might end up funding Claremont’s war. So instead, he sent his most cherished peace delegation. Please understand his benevolent heart.”
Five wagons were packed with instruments, luxurious fabrics, shivering dancers dragged to the cold North, powdered musicians wearing towering wigs, tailors in ridiculous hats, hairdressers, and even a mustached poet clearing his throat awkwardly as they all avoided Tessarion’s gaze.
Tessarion glared at them like he was about to slaughter them all.
“Peace? More like seeds of chaos.”
Berieta sniffled and clung to my arm, burying her face in it.
“Roy… please speak to the Duke for me.”
Immediately, Tessarion gave me an order.
“Roy. Get in another carriage.”
“Then I’ll ride with him. Please escort me, Roy.”
Your Highness… that ‘other carriage’ is a luggage wagon…!
Berieta clung to my arm tightly, leaning her weight against me. Flustered, I raised my hands and darted my eyes to Tessarion with an awkward smile.
“Berieta. Shut your mouth and get in your own carriage.”
“Hmph. You’re so mean.”
“Roy. Aren’t you going?”
“Roy, let’s go together.”
Oh god, I’m going crazy.
Why were they fighting over me?
I backed away slowly with my arms still stretched out. My head had been spinning even before arriving in Shinnevan, but after meeting Berieta, it was even worse.
I felt so dizzy my stomach churned. I gulped down bile and laughed weakly.
“Um… I’ll ride a horse instead! You two can enjoy the carriage together—”
“No. You could fall off or get shot by an arrow.”
Tessarion rejected it immediately with a ridiculous excuse. I frowned and glanced around.
“Duke… I’m just a squire, you know…”
“So?”
As a squire, or apprentice knight, I wasn’t supposed to ride in a carriage. I was meant to lead the knights’ horses or walk alongside them.
Of course, there were older squires who ended up stuck in that position forever and used excuses like ‘my back hurts’ to ride carriages… but still.
I wasn’t of a status to ride in one, nor was there any situation here requiring it.
“The proper thing would be for you two to ride together, while I handle your horse.”
Just as I righteously guided them toward the ideal romantic scenario—
“Move. Ugh… my head’s splitting…”
The Crown Prince staggered over, drunk with hangover, and shoved me aside. Without a shred of awareness, he climbed into the carriage meant for his future bride. Berieta glanced at Heliote sprawled inside, then declared firmly:
“I’m not getting in.”
“Fine. Go back to the capital then.”
Tessarion turned away, saying that her presence was delaying the march too long. He grabbed my arm roughly.
“D-Duke?! W-wait, this isn’t proper—”
I looked helplessly between Berieta, who remained behind, and Tessarion, who was dragging me away. Berieta glared at Tessarion, then turned her wheelchair toward the luggage wagons.
The knights and servants watched in stunned silence as Tessarion dragged me off and Berieta climbed into the luggage wagon.
“Duke. There are eyes watching. How can you make the disabled princess ride with the luggage? If the First Imperial Knights or the Crown Prince report this to His Majesty later, what will you do?”
“……”
“Please treat her with the dignity she deserves.”
Tessarion twisted my arm painfully as he growled,
“Logic, etiquette—are those more important than your life?”
“…Excuse me?”
